http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33748
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1. FEDERAL
This cafe and restaurant with a rooftop terrace opened only a year ago and is already a big success. Fashionable, but cozy with friendly staff and nice food, cakes and sandwiches. A good choice at any time of the day – breakfast, brunch, cafe or dinner!
Brunch around 15 €
Area: Eixample
Address: C/ Parlament 39
website: www.federalcafe.es





2. PEZ VELA
Luxury Chiringuito (beach bar) at the beach of the 5 Star Hotel W. Best sea views to add a touch of glamour to your day.
Lunch Menu: 35 €
Area: Barceloneta
Address: Passeig del Mare Nostrum 19-21 (Playa del Hotel W)
web: www.grupotragaluz.com




3. BAR LOBO
Modern and stylish bar/restaurant with a cosmopolitan vibe. Perfectly located just by the Ramblas.
Lunch Menu: 12 €
Area: Raval
Address: Pintor Fortuny, 3
web: www.grupotragaluz.com





4.BIG FISH
As the name suggests a great place to eat fresh fish in a little Passage behind the Born market. The stylish interior and terrace is the work of Lazaro Rosa Violan, a famous designer.
Lunch Menu: 14 €
Area: El Borne
Address: C/ Comercial 9
web: www.bigfish.cat




5. CAFE D’ESTIU
A magic space in the Gothic quarter where time stands still. Situated in a courtyard with orange trees and a fountain inside the MFM (Museu Frederic Mares) just by the Cathedral. Only fingerfood like nachos with guacamole but the place is really worth it!
Area: Gothic
Address: Placa de Sant Lu 5-6
web: www.cafedestiu.com





6. ESCRIBA
Very popular also amongst the locals to enjoy the best Paellas and great seafood directly at the seaside. If you want to eat a really good Paella during your visit – this is the place!
Paella around 20 € p.p.
Address: Av. Litoral Mar 42
web: www.escriba.es




7. BESTIAL
Next to the Hotel Arts and below the Frank Gehry fish you will find this great location with seaviews and pure modern design. Not cheap, but good value for money.
Lunch menu: 22 €
Area: Port Olympic
Address: C/ Ramon Trias Fargas 2
web: www.grupotragaluz.com






8. EL BAR DEL CONVENT
Tucked away in the inner courtyard of an old convent you will find this relaxing place. Ideal for families with children. Simple food like Quiches, salads and daily offers.
Lunch: around 10 €
Area: El Borne
Address: Plaza de l’Academia s/n – C/Comerc 36 (see map)
web: www.bardelconvent.com





9. LA VINYA DEL SENYOR
A great spot with an impressive selection of wines and some tapas across from the church of Santa Maria del Mar. Perfect for watching the world go by with a glass of wine.
Prices are quiet high
Area: El Borne
Address: Plaza Santa Maria 5
no website




10. JARDINS
In the garden of an old hospital, which hosts now the art school Massana and a library, you will find this tapas bar. Surrounded by trees and thick stone walls an idyllic spot to relax in the bustling centre.
Dish of the day: 8,20 €
Address: C/ de L’Hospital 56
web:www.eljardibarcelona.es





… there are just too many great places and it was hard to select a top 10 – so here are more terraces we recommend:

EL FILFERRO

Bar and restauraunt with original details and laid back atmosphere in the heart of the lively Barceloneta area. Good quality and cheap prices.
Food: sandwiches around 4 €
Area: Barceloneta
Address: C/ Sant Carles 29
no website





PIC NIC
Brunch is still something quiet new in Barcelona and PIC NIC is THE place to go and enjoy a tasty Sunday brunch. A lunch menu is available as well.
Lunch Menu: 10 € – 12,50 €
Area: El Borne
Address: C/Comerc 1
web: www.picnic-restaurant.com




LA LUNA DE JUPITER
Cozy bar and restaurant with bohemian atmosphere on a square with trees surrounded by roman walls. Simple but delicious food and great sandwiches.
Dish of the day: 6 €, sandwiches around 5 €
Area: Gothic
Address: Placa Traginers 8
no website





MENAGE A TROIS
One of the few places in the very centre which managed to keep its personal style. A block away from the Ramblas, retro decoration and simple food.
Lunch menu: 12 €
Area: Gotic
Address: C/ Bot 4
website: www.menageatrois.es




LA SANTA MARTA
Despite its popular location at the beach, this italian restaurant offers reasonably priced food of good quality. Great for watching the sea and surfers.
Dish of the day: 9 – 12 €
Area: La Barceloneta
Address: Grau i Torras 59
no website



L’ ANTIC TEATRE
A creative centre with a big terrace/garden which attracts mainly the alternative and creative scene. No food available, but nice for a drink after visiting the Palau de la Musica.
Address: c/ Verdaguer i Callis 12
Area: El Borne
web: www.anticteatre.com





El ATRIL
Outstanding quality of food for the modest price of 10 € for a 3 course lunch menu including drinks. Highly recommended!
Lunch Menu: 10 €
Area: El Borne
Address: C/ Carders 23
web: www.atrilbarcelona.com



CAFE DHUB
The cafe and restaurant of the “Disseny Hub” (Textile Design Museum) is located in the beautiful courtyard of an old Palacio just in front of the Picasso Museum.
Lunch Menu: 12 €
Area: El Borne
Address: C/ Montcada 12
no website

]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32800 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31554 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31554 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31553 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31553 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31552 Across the square from the Cathedral is the entrance to the Museu Marès. Inside this wonderful Gothic courtyard, tucked into a far corner among Roman columns and behind the orange trees and fountain is the Summer Café: a delightful spot to sit and restore depleted energies, write that postcard and get outside something long and cool.
Open from ten till ten, April to September.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31552 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31551 As a curiosity, there’s a bronze statue of Rovira i Trias, one of Cerdà’s competitors in the tender for designing Barcelona’s Eixample; his plans, based on concentric developments around the old town, lie discarded at his feet.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31551 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31550 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31550 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31549 Back to business. The Bar Virreina has a good selection of imported beers and does a tasty sandwich.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31549 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31545 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31545 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31544 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31544 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31543 It’s a very pleasant place for a snack during the day, though not cheap, and there is live music on Wednesdays and Sundays in summer.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31543 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31542 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31542 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31541 Part of the gardens is given over to the hotel restaurant and bar terrace. You can enjoy a meal or drink here in peace and quiet surrounded by greenery and the curious interior architecture of L’Eixample.
If the gates to the jardins happen to be closed –after about eight in the evening– just walk through the hotel and out the back doors onto the terrace.
However, avoid this place at all costs around five in the afternoon in term time. It quickly becomes a hell-hole of screaming brats who, freed from the tyranny of their teachers, burn off their accumulated frustrations and blast your tranquility to jagged bits.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31541 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31353 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31353 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30962 Even the chapels between the buttresses contribute to the expanse instead of chopping it up as they do in some other churches.
The rose window, set in its cliff-like wall of stone, is said to be the largest in the world; seen from inside the church when the afternoon sun falls on it from over the buildings, it is spectacular.
Beneath the rose window and above the door is another outstanding feature and evidence of the great vision and skill of the Catalan architects and builders of the middle ages: the shallow stone arch supporting the choir. It spans the entire width of the church and its rise is so little as to make the arch itself seem an impossibility. It looks far too flat to stand, let alone bear the weight of the choir. Yet its shape is so harmonious and effortlessly elegant it leaves you breathless with admiration.
Building began in 1319 and was completed in 1391 meaning the church was one of the many Gothic buildings started during a period of prosperity but completed during the successive ravages of epidemics, plague and violent unrest.
The tower, finished off flat like most Gothic towers in Barcelona, (Why is the one in the Plaça del Rei different? That story is yet to come…) was probably finished around 1461. Designed by master architect Bartomeu Mas, work began in 1376. It is said that the master builder, desperate to find funds to complete the church, made a pact with the Devil. But the Devil only agreed to provide him with the materials required in exchange for the builder’s soul, to be delivered when the 100th step of the tower was laid. “Right-ho”, said the builder and promptly built up to the 99th and then went on to finish the rest of the church. This took so long he died of old age before getting round to laying the 100th step thus cheating the devil of his dues.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30962 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30961 Nowadays Ganiveteria Roca has a range of over 9,000 cutting tools of all kinds.
One of the things I like to buy for my friends who enjoy cooking is one of Roca’s own branded knives. Made of fine, non-stainless steel the knives hold a keen edge and their rounded wooden handles give them a pleasant feel. They look good too. I bought mine in 1978 and providing I continue to keep it clean and sharp it should last for ever.
Personal preferences apart, Roca has fist class knives from the world’s most prestigious manufacturers of Japan, Finland, France, Germany, Switzerland… collectors will always find something of interest and so will yachtsmen and outdoor enthusiasts. The new range of ceramic knives is attracting a lot of attention.
Catalunya’s finest and most well-known chefs are regular customers at Roca.
There are scissors for every conceivable application, even ones with double eye rings for people who work with the disabled, spring-loaded scissors for people suffering from arthritis and an astonishingly wide range of nail cutters.
The traditional cut-throat razor and its accessories are still one of the best sellers.
Roca is in the building that housed the shopkeepers guild and was probably the first to be decorated in the sgraffito style. The façade bears the date 1613.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30961 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30960 - Honey- a great variety of honeys, my current favourite is the orange blossom honey with its subtle citrus tang and fine nose. In winter when its cold and wet, I like to settle down of an evening with a glass of hot milk liberally dosed with thyme honey and brandy – great before bed when you have a touch of cold, or even if you don’t.
- Handmade honeycomb candles and moulded beeswax
- Marmalades and jams made from fresh local fruits
- Dried wild and cultivated mushrooms and truffles from the foothills of the Pyrenees. Monbolet specialises in wild and cultivated mushrooms and also prepares pre-mixed, ready-to-cook rice and pasta dishes flavoured with several kinds of wild mushrooms. If you fancy trying your hand at making a Catalan fricandó –a braised steak stew– buy some moixernons, tiny button mushrooms.
- Goat and cow’s milk cheeses. Cheese lovers are spoiled for choice. I’ve tried lots of these and every one has been first class, some are drier and stronger, some more softer and smoother, but all first-rate. My all-time favourite is the creamy goats’ cheese called Formatge mantegós de cabra.
- Wines. Ecologically produced wines and sparkling wines from the Tenes valley.
- Pastries and biscuits. Typically Catalan pastries and biscuits all made using ecologically produced flour: deliciously crunchy and crumbly carquinyolis, made with eggs, sugar and almonds; chocolate, orange and almond biscuits; savoury cookies made with olive oil, eggs, herbs and spices; wholemeal and fibre rich biscuits…

- Dairy produce. Fresh cottage cheese, yoghurts, kefir, honey, marmalades, crème caramel from Can Corder, pioneer in high-quality, kilometre 0 dairy production.
- Herbs. Single herbs and mixtures to alleviate all conditions. Galangal to stimulate appetite, camomile to help digestion, herb mixtures for calming burns, easing pain; artichoke and bitter herbs for detoxing your liver, thyme for clearing your chest.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30960 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30959 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30959